Ball projecting manikin



April 30, 1940.

E. J. COLLINS BALL PROJECTING MANIKIN Filed March 6, 1940 25 I -q I IIII! [Hazard Chili/as 1M ENTOR.

Z HIS A TTORNK Patented Apr. 30,1940

' UNITED STATES BALL PBOIECTIN G MANIKIN Edward J. Collins, Los Angeles,Calif., assignor to H. C. l'wans & Co., Inc., Chicago, 111., acorporation of Illinois Application March .6,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement and game apparatus and hasas itsprincipal object the provision of an improved manikin peculiarly adaptedto simulate the posture and certain 5 movements of a human figure inpropelling a ball or like projectile and particularly in bowling a ballin a manner familiar in the game of tenpins.

A further object is the provision of a manikin constructed with amovable arm portion for propelling a ball and having a leg portionproviding a mounting for pivoting the manikin about a vertical axis withrespect to a bowling alley, for example, together with mechanismconcealed substantially within the leg portion and a part of the trunkfor actuating the arm to propel a ball.

Yet another object is the construction of a ballprojecting manikin tosimulate a human figure in stooping position, as in the action ofbowling a ball, and providing the manikin with a pivoted arm to propel aball, the arm being pivotally supported and actuated by a shaftextending in a direction between the opposite shoulders of the figure,and the upper part of the trunk of the figure being constructed inseparable sections fitting together to journal the arms-pivoting shaft.

A further object is to provide mechanism situated within the separableportions and drivingly connected with the arm-pivoting shaft foractuation to pivot the same, the shaft-pivoting means further extendingdown through a leg portion of the figure for connection to an operatingmechanism.

A further object is to provide, in such a figure, a leg portion having afoot portion which con.- stitutes a pivotal mounting for the figure.

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention reside incertain details of construction as well as the cooperative relationshipof the component parts of the illustrative embodiment describedhereinafter in view of the annexed drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the manikin;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section along line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with portions in section from a side oppositethat shown in Fig. 1 and along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the upper section of the manikincasting; I

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the manikin operating means.

The novel ball-projecting or bowling manikin may be used in a variety ofball games in which 55 it is desirable to simulate the action of a human1940, Serial No. 322,457 (C1. 273-129) figure in propelling a ballrelative to a playing field, the manikin being especially designed foruse in a bowling game, such as described and claimed in my U. S. PatentNo. 2,195,446, issued on patent application Serial No. 305,103, filedNovember 18, 1939.

As viewed in Fig. 1, the manikin consists of upper and lower separablesections and II respectively, the sections being fitted together along asubstantially horizontal juncture line indicated at 12, extendingdiagonally of the trunk portion of the figure. I

The figure is preferably a casting of aluminum or other non-magneticmaterial for reasons which will appear hereinafter, and the figure isdelineated in a stooped posture conformable to the position of a bowlerin the action of propelling a ball at tenpins. In this posture, the leftleg 13 of the manikin is in an approximately uprightor vertical positionrelative to the plane of the mounting which, in this instance, wouldrepresent the bowling alley while the right leg is bent at the knee withthe foot 16 positioned appropriately behind the foot ll of the left leg.v Correspondingly, the trunk portion ID of the figure is thrust forwardso as to substantially overlie the left leg I3, the left arm 18 droppingso that the hand 19 thereof may rest upon the knee portion of the leftleg I3, it being observed that both the left and right shoulder portions20 and 2| respectively (Fig. 2 also) are in nearly vertical alignmentwith the left leg.

Means is provided as a part of the left leg or foot structure forpivotally mounting the manikin to rotate about a vertical axis extendingthrough the left leg [3, this means including, as shown particularly inFig. 2, an inner tubular bushing 22 threaded at 23 into the left foot I!and having a'collar portion 24 and fitted into an outer bushing 25seated in the playboard or bowling alley l4 and secured in position by anut 26 with the lower portion 22a of the inner bushing projectingsomewhat below the outer or mounting bushing to be clamped in a clampbracket 21 which rotates with the manikin about an axis coincident withthe axis of the inner and outer bushings 22 and 25.

The clamp bracket 21, as shown in Fig. 5, is adapted to carry certainoperating mechanism, and to this end is provided with an arm 21a towhich is aflixed a solenoid 28 having a plunger 29 connected by aspecial linkage 30 to a pivot arm 3| affixed (Figs. 2 and 3)- to thelower end portion of a rockvshaft 32 extended coaxially of the bushings22 and 25 and up through the left leg 55 portion l3 of the manikin forthe purpose of actuating a pivoted arm.

Theclamp bracket 21 is also provided with an arm 33 which clampinglysupports a permanent magnet 34 having a polar end portion 35 disposedbeneath a thin non-magnetic plate 36 covering an opening in board l4 topermit the polar end portion 35 to project as close as possible to thehand of the bowlingarm, it being intended that a magnetic ball shall beused with the manikin, and the magnet 34 serving to attract the ballwhen the same is delivered, by means not shown herein, toward the hand,the hand itself being of magnetically attractable material so that therewill be a magnetic circuit from the polar end 35 of the magnet throughthe ball into the hand, the ball nevertheless having sufficient freedomof movement to follow the hand to maintain said circuit effectivelyclosed when the manikin is adjusted by pivoting the same.

Pivotal movement of the manikin is effected by manipulation of a knob 38pivotally mounted in board l4 and connected by a linkage 39 to anotherarm portion 40 of the clamp bracket 21.

The right or bowling arm 4| of the manikin is preferably constructed ofiron or other suitable magnetic material and is pivotally mounted at itsshoulder portion 2| by means of a stud shaft 42 secured to the arm bypin means 43 and extending through a bushing 44 in a cavity within theupper trunk portion of the figure, with the opposite end 42a of the studshaft coming out of the trunk portion at a point slightly to one side ofthe shoulder portion 20 of the left arm l8, it being apparent that theright shoulder 2| would be thrown somewhat out of alignment with theleft shoulder on a human figure in the act of bowling a ball.

The bowling arm 4| is pivoted by rotation of the shaft 32 responsive toattraction of the solenoid armature 29 from the normal position shown inFig. 5, the rotative movement of the shaft being transmitted through apinion 45 fixed thereon in the cavity at the top of the figure andmeshing with a pinion 45 fixed to the stud shaft 42. It may be observedthat a short tubular bushing 41 is positioned in the gap between theupper or knee portion of leg l3 and the chest portion of the figure forthe purpose of shielding the passage of shaft 32 across this gap and forthe further purpose of improving the bearing means at the upper endthereof.

The arrangement is such that the break or line of separation |2 betweenthe upper and lower sections l0 and ll of the figure passes through ahorizontal diameter of the stud shaft 42, and the castings of bothsections are therefore provided with suitable complementary formations42b and 44a (shown in part in Fig. 4) coacting to provide a seatingcavity for the bushing 44 on the one hand, and a bearing seat for theend portion 42a of the stud shaft on the other hand, when the sectionsare fitted and held together, as by screws S, so that the stud shaft 42and associated parts may be conveniently assembled and removed, it beingobserved also that the upper and lower casting sections are providedwith complementary cavity portions 48 and 49 in which the pinions 45 and4B are conveniently housed.

As heretofore mentioned, the arm 4| is of magnetic material as is thehand portion 4|a thereof, this hand portion being recessed to provide asocket 5|], the curvature of which corresponds appropriately to that ofthe ball indicated at B in Fig. 2, so that the magnetic circuit throughthe hand portion and ball will be as effective as possible and in orderfurther that the hand may properly engage the ball for purposes ofpropulsion.

The armature 29 is retracted to a normal position by action of a spring5| (Fig. 5), and the bowling arm 4|, in consequence, is pivoted to thelimit of its retractive movement, determined by a pin 52 (Fig. 3)projecting from the leg just behind the elbow region of arm 4|, thelatter being provided with a resilient insert 53 of leather or the liketo brake and deaden the return movement of the arm after each bowlingaction.

In the operation of the device it may be assumed that a ball B has beendelivered, by means not shown, toward hand 4|a of the bowling arm, theball being drawn firmly against the socket portion 50 by action ofmagnet 34. The player may turn the knob 38 and pivot the manikin onbushing 22, which imparts similar movement to the entire bracketstructure 21. The ball glides freely on the disc 36, but is neverthelessmaintained firmly against the hand portion 4|a.

Being satisfied with the adjustment of the manikin as aforesaid, theplayer will then operate a push button switch 5556 (Fig. 3) to close anenergizing circuit for the winding of solenoid 28, causing armature 29to be attracted to rock the shaft 32 through the linkage 30-3|, suchmovement of shaft 32 being transmitted through pinions 45 and 46 to thestud shaft 42, which causes arm 4| to move forward and propel the ball Bdown the alley. The arrangement of the solenoid and its linking means 30connecting the same to the rock shaft 32 is such that the initialbowling movement of the arm is relatively slow and is thereafteraccelerated to more nearly simulate the real motion of a bowlers arm.

The switch means 55--5'6 is only momentarily closed by the player, andthereafter the spring means 5| will restore the armature 29 andassociated parts, including the arm 4|, to its normal position.

The various advantages and objects of the invention may be accomplishedby modifications of the particular embodiment specifically describedherein, and it is intended that the appended claims shall include allequivalent arrangements fairly coming within their call.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A ball projecting manikin comprising a body portion having a legextending in approximately upright position, said leg having a footportion and means cooperable therewith for maintaining the manikin on asupport, said manikin having a trunk portion leaning over said leg tosimulate the position of a bowling posture, said manikin having an armpivoted on said trunk portion, drive means extending upwardly throughsaid foot and leg portion and into said trunk portion, and means withinsaid trunk portion drivingly connecting said driving means and saidpivoted arm for actuating the latter in simulated bowling movement topropel a ball, said arm having a hand portion adapted to engage andpropel a ball as aforesaid.

2. In a ball projecting manikin, means attached to a foot portion of themanikin mounting the same for movement about a vertical axis, an armpivoted to the upper part of the trunk portion of the manikin, and meansextending coaxially of said mounting means through said foot portion andthe corresponding leg portioninto the trunk portion of the manikin anddrivingly'connected with said arm to pivot the same.

3. In a ball projecting manikin, a foot portion and a leg portionextending in approximately upright position therefrom, a trunk portionprojected forwardly over said leg portion to simulate a stoopingposition, means attached to said foot portion for mounting the manikinfor pivotal movement about a vertical axis extending through said legportion, a pivoted arm attached to the upper part of said trunk portionand including a,

shaft element coacting therewith for movement to pivot the arm, saidtrunk portion including separable parts coacting to provide a bearing.seat for said shaft when said parts are in asseparable parts, shaftmeans removably journaled between the junctural portions of said partswhen the same are in assembled relation, and an arm mounted on saidmeans and rotatable therewith, and means drivingly associated with saidshaft within said trunk portion and passing through a leg portion of themanikin for connection with operating means for pivoting the arm.

5. A bowling manikin comprising a figure depicted in stooped positionwith one leg portion in substantially upright position and a companionleg portion stepped backwardly of the first leg portion, meansoperatively connected with the foot portion of said first-mentioned legportion to mount the manikin for pivotal movement, said manikin having atrunk portion above said upright leg portion and thrust forward instooped position, an arm pivotally attached to said trunk portion, saidarm having a hand portion adapted to engage and propel a ball when thearm is pivoted, and means extending into said upright leg portion fromthe region of the foot thereof and into said trunk portion andoperatively con-'- nected with said arm for actuation to pivot thelatter,

6. A bowling .manikin including a figure having a trunk portion inclinedin stooped positon to simulate the position of a bowler engaged in bowl!in'ga ball, said trunk portion consisting of upper and lower sectionsseparable along a juncture line lying in an approximately horizontalplane, a shaft extending in a direction transversely of said trunkportion between the opposite arms of the manikin and journaled betweensaid sections at the juncture line thereof, and a bowling arm mounted onsaid shaft and movable when the latter is rocked to simulate themovement of the bowler's arm in bowling action, shaft rocking meansextended into said trunk: portion, and mechanism housed within saidsections and drivingly connecting said shaft with said shaft rockknee tothrow the trunk forwardly thereof with the left shoulder approximatelyoverlying said knee, said figure having a right arm pivoted in theregion of the shoulder thereof,-said arm having a handportion adapted toengage and propel a ball when the arm is pivoted, shaft means drivinglyconnected with said arm in said trunk portion, means attached to thefoot portion of the left leg for supporting the manikin in pivotalmovement about an axis extending through said leg, and a driving shaftextended through the left foot portion and leg coaxially of saidmounting means and drivingly connected with said shaft within the trunkportion for actuation to effect pivotal movement of said right arm.

8. The device ofclaim 7 further characterized in that saidsecond-mentioned driving shaft is sues from the left leg in the regionof the knee portion thereof and reenters said trunk portion forconnection as aforesaid with the first-mentionedshaft means.

9. A ball projecting manikin comprising a body portion having a legextending in approximately upright position, said leg having a footportion and means cooperable therewith for maintaining the manikin on asupport, said manikin hav- I ing a trunk portion leaning over said leg,said .manilgin having an. arm pivoted on said trunk portion, drive"means extending upwardly through said foot and leg portion and intosaid trunk portion, and means within said trunk portion drivinglyconnecting said driving means and said pivoted arm for actuating thelatter to propel a ball,

10. In a ball projecting manikin including a trunk portion, an armpivoted on said trunk portion for movement to project a ball, said trunkportion including complementary separable parts,

vertical axisthroughsaid foot portion, and means for moving said arm inprojecting action. 4

12. In a ball projecting manikin including a trunk portion with legs anda pivotedball projecting arm on said trunk portion, means for mountingthe manikin for adjusting movement about a' vertical axis relative to asupport, said means including attaching means situated at the footportion of one of said legs and constructed for cooperation with arelatively stationary mounting means on said support whereby saidmanikin may be rotatively moved about a vertical axis through said footportion and mounting means, and shaft means extending coaxially of therotative axis through said foot portion into the manikin and drivinglyconnected with said ball projecting arm. I

' EDWARD J. COLLINS.

